The Gamer Campione

by Kyosuke Sachi

He never expected to reincarnate suddenly and without warning. But since he became The Gamer with all the features imaginable, he wasn't complaining. The fact it is in modern day anime Japan makes everything perfect. He will grab this second chance and not let go. No being, whether they be a god or godslayer, can stand in his way. SI/OC into the world of modern anime as a Campione.

14. Chapter 14

Chapter

Friday. It is the end of the week and end of the daily grind for a short while. That is why most people love Fridays since they are almost fed up from the toil of the past four days and just want a break.

On Friday, you only have to spend just one more day of school or work and then you will get two days of holiday. Although the holiday part is not always guaranteed in Japan where most adults do overtime all the time, for the students Friday is still significant and something they eagerly look forward to.

Kyosuke is no exception. When he woke up in the morning and glanced at the clock on the side table beside his bed which showed the time and day, his mood improved on seeing the latter, even though by all means it shouldn't really affect him.

Before he had returned to Chiba, there was no concept of a break in his life. The Institute's management would look poorly on anyone spouting such outlandish ideas and would never have allowed something as pedestrian as 'weekend' to stop the members from working to the bone and pushing their limits.

Not that anyone would have taken a day off even if given the chance. Most of them were too damaged mentally to even think about it, while the rest were dead set on doing their best to attain the needed power to leave that place, Kyosuke chief among them. Besides, when you know the real truth of what's out there, with all the details and without any sugarcoating, you will realize that stopping to take a break is the same as asking for death.

When you have attained a high enough position in life and are safe from the majority of the threats, meaning you won't die from encountering any random mob like a stray devil or an errant malicious spirit, then you know you can take a break.

Now that Kyosuke has achieved such a position, despite the wider world being unaware of it, he can look forward to taking a break from the weekdays. Even though his break will just consist of him entering the Dungeons for a while and letting loose all his strength mixed in with him pushing his limits.

But that is not to say that such things are tedious for him. On the contrary, seeing the numbers on his Status go up is to him what clearing monsters and increasing the levels of a video game character is for other mundane boys his age, meaning it can range from an enjoyable hobby to obsession depending on his mood.

And since he has completed all the schoolwork on the weekdays only, he will be free from the common tasks that consume others' time. So he can be said to have a break in a way, even though no one is forcing him to attend school and neither will anyone object to him taking as many leaves as he wants, so in reality he doesn't have to look forward to Saturday for a break from school.

But he still does it. It makes things more normal and slice of life like for him. Besides, being high strung and having your nose in the air all the time is very bad for your health. He has seen examples at the Institute and now at Sobu for both the magical and non-magical versions of such people, so no way will Kyosuke end up like that.

This is moreso as he can see Status Effects like Depressed, Stressed etc, so he is not eager to have such applied on himself.

So he did his morning routine in a merrier mood than usual, checking on his resources and all that stuff. Things were going as they do every other day. But then things deviated from the norm when Nova brought some news. It was very unexpected and not exactly of the good variety, though it wasn't exactly bad either.

Kyosuke was just done with storing up nectar and was starting on stockpiling ambrosia when Nova spoke in her neutral voice. "You have two new emails which require attention before you leave for school. Would you like to look at them now or after you are done stockpiling?"

Kyosuke was a little surprised. There was nothing to look at yesterday night, which means these emails came overnight. That is rare. Even more when it is nothing urgent.

Well, not like there is anyone who contacts him in case of any emergencies. If there is a strong spirit, divine beast or Heretic God in or near Japan, then the Committee might contact him. Emphasis on 'might', since he very much doubts they would want an unaffiliated person like him to swoop in and earn the prestige which comes from dealing with threats that the regular field agents cannot deal with.

Not that such a situation has ever happened in the past two years. Though Godou's return to Japan as the publicly known Seventh Campione might qualify as an emergency, but even then no one bothered to contact him aside from a warning to stay clear of Tokyo and the surroundings areas until further notice.

But he digressed from the topic.

Back to the matter at hand, seeing as Kyosuke wasn't doing anything which required attention, seeing as the production of nectar and ambrosia is second nature to him by now, he decided to deal with it now itself.

"Now is good." He said to Nova. "Who are they from anyway?"

"One is from Kenji from Nature Energy Corp. Other is from Shiba from the local Committee branch. Which would you like to see first?"

Kyosuke was a bit exasperated by the mention of the kamaitachi. "Again? I have already told them everything they needed to know. What can they want now? Bring his email up first."

From what Nova had found after her usual intelligence collection, the Kyoto Yokai Faction is set to meet Godou this Saturday, that is, tomorrow. So they should be busy preparing for that meeting and leaving a good impression on a naive teenager with more power than a large faction combined.

What's more, when they wanted Kyosuke to accompany them to show some solidarity and how the yokai are peaceful and cooperating and live in harmony with Japanese humans, he had already refused tactfully. But he had also given some good advice on how they can approach Godou without making it seem like he has a complete profile on the newest Campione.

Since the whole world is aware by now that an Italian mage is going around calling herself Godou's wife and clinging to him everywhere, from his school to public areas to even his home, the yokai should be working to adapt their plans to this unexpected development and any new changes, like the addition of Yuri Mariya from the Committee into Godou's 'harem'.

So why were they coming to Kyosuke instead?

'It's not like they would confirm with me if a honey trap would work on Kusanagi.' He thought with some amusement, imagining how such a nonsensical scenario might play out.

As per his instructions, Nova brought up a hologram displaying the email. Kyosuke read it. The more he read, the more his earlier exasperation and amusement diminished. The content was not something he had expected, to be honest.

He slowly straightened up and read it twice to make sure he wasn't missing anything, both the overt and hidden meaning from the words. By the time he was done, there was a hint of amazement on his face.

He worked his jaw but did not speak immediately. After thinking for a bit, he decided to not start drafting up a reply just yet. Instead, he decided to check the other email first. He has an inkling it would shed some more light on the situation and was proven correct shortly.

"Nova, bring up the email from Shiba."

The email minimized and moved to a corner of the hologram according to his order. Then the main space was occupied by a new email, from a surprising person. This is because Kyosuke has met her only once when he returned to Chiba to settle down. After that, they haven't contacted each other via any means for any reason.

Miyuki Shiba is the head of the Chiba branch of the Committee. She is only four years older than Kyosuke and is from a branch family of the Kuhoutsuka Clan, one of the Founding Clans. Her accomplishment at obtaining such a position at such a young age is enough to show her ability in not only magical might but also her governing and interpersonal relationship ability.

When Kyosuke had met her, she hadn't put on any airs before him, fully aware that he was way beyond what is expected of her to handle. But she had handled herself well despite a literal bomb being dropped in her lap like that without warning, acting neither arrogant nor subservient.

He had explained his intentions and she had agreed to them with only minor surprise. Since Kyosuke has been living in Chiba for two years by now without any problems occurring, it is enough to see her sincerity in not involving him in political matters and not bothering him to join the Committee. She hadn't even tried to involve him in any magical matters, whether it be requesting him to do missions or exchange magical knowledge or sell magical resources, after he had refused once.

So as Kyosuke read the email from her, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. As expected of Miyuki, the email was not at all overbearing. There was not a hint of it being an order from the sole mage association ruling Japan to a simple mage living under their jurisdiction.

Although the main topic could be taken as an offense very easily by those at his publicly shown prowess, Miyuki had done her best to not let that happen. Kyosuke can applaud that much thoughtfulness on her side.

Nonetheless it doesn't mean the email is not an eyesore in a way.

Kyosuke leaned back in his chair. He first finished up with the storage of ambrosia and sped up its production. After he was done, with the box put away in his Inventory and [Holy Grail] dispelled, he finally spoke up.

"These guys sure have a lot of guts." By that he referred to the Committee, specifically the higher ups who are in charge of the decision making currently.

"Yes." Nova said in agreement. Because that is the truth, plain and simple. "The Committee is doing their best to stop anyone else from getting close to Kusanagi. Blandelli's closeness has rattled them a lot. Mariya's presence had settled them somewhat, but it didn't calm them down completely because it is obvious to any observer that she is behind Blandelli when it comes to Kusanagi's favour. So now they are doing their best to ensure the yokai do not become another successful example. There is a threat of them reaching equal footing with the Committee or even surpassing them if they succeed in getting closer to him."

The last part made Kyosuke's lips quirk up. The major clans really are scrambling around in a way due to their complete lack of experience in dealing with a Campione staying in Japan for an extended period of time. That is why they are making their moves now.

Kenji's email just now was asking if it was possible for Kyosuke to accompany him. He had worded it to make it seem like he really wanted Kyosuke to agree. He had even written down the reason, which is what surprised Kyosuke the most.

Originally there were a few small clans who had agreed to send people to join the yokai. It wasn't really a big deal for them. They are based near Kyoto and so have a lot of dealing with the yokai. So when they had to merely play a secondary role in a meeting with a Campione who has shown himself to be quite amicable till now, they easily agreed.

A small investment with a big return - only a fool would miss on it. They just had to send a few of their not so important members and that would be all.

But now those clans have changed their tune and are going to miss out on this opportunity. All have given some excuses to skip on it and no matter how the yokai try to convince them, none are budging on this new stance.

Naturally there can only be one reason why suddenly all of them would do this. If it were only one or two clans, it could have been written off as a coincidence. But when it is all of them? It is obvious some new factor has forced them to fall in line like this.

Naturally, only the Committee, the de facto ruler of Japan, have the capability to do this. Like Nova just said, they are not taking any chance after the appearance of Erica Blandelli, Godou's 'first wife'.

When she had arrived in Japan, the new wards at Tokyo airport had triggered and her arrival and subsequently identity were easily found out. But because of Godou coming there to pick her up, courtesy of Erica's foresight, she walked out with the resident newest godslayer with her head held high.

It is bad enough a foreigner has so much influence over the Japanese Campione. But the Committee cannot realistically do anything but grit their teeth and accept it. She did fight with Godou against two gods after all, and was even instrumental in his win according to the Campione in question himself. No way is Godou going to stand for her being forced away from him against her will, and no one wants to see how he would react.

The silver lining in this is that Copper Black Cross, the mage association that Erica belongs to, is based in Italy and is considered to be under the Sixth Campione's command. Although Salvatore Doni is a carefree idiot and won't care about the mages in his country getting close to another Campione, no mage association would dare to disrespect him openly like that.

It would be like a faction treating two godslayers as merely stronger than expected mages and having relations with both. The other factions will definitely not sit still and do everything in their power to pit other Campione against them and spread rumours that the Copper Black Cross believes themselves to be equal to the kings of the supernatural world if they can cooperate with more than one of them.

So the chances of a foreign faction getting a foothold in Japan via Godou is very low for now, at least overtly and in an attention catching manner. But if the yokai were to get close to him?

The Committee is concerned that being a domestic faction, the yokai would expand far outside the area they have been confined to. As Kyosuke has said before, Japan has been relatively peaceful for a long time, so the various clans have obtained an inflated sense of self importance.

Otherwise they wouldn't have dared to move like this. All it takes is one sob story from a damsel in distress and Godou would be on the Committee like an anime protagonist with the necessary power, shoving them aside, upending the current pecking order and strengthening the yokai.

Miyuki's email for Kyosuke is also for this purpose. She was politely asking him to not go to Tokyo for a while still as the situation is still unstable with the arrival of the new Campione.

Good for them. The Committee that is. If the email was sent by someone other than Miyuki, someone who wouldn't care about Kyosuke under normal circumstances and even more now that there is a Campione in town, then there is no doubt the wording would have been an outright command.

Depending on the mood of the sender and their view on a freelancer like him, the wording could have been a lot rude and insulting.

Kyosuke would have reacted depending on his mood then. But anyways, since Miyuki has been polite, he will be polite in return. He can even get a small favour out of this in the future, as the name of a Grand Mage is not nothing. Not to mention their relationship is that of give and take from the beginning, so no harm done.

Kyosuke's expression eased when he thought of that. Indeed, since there are no feelings involved between them, why should he be hung up on some perceived disrespect? It is his decision to not throw his power around like candy after all. The way he is being treated now is already good enough.

Then, after moving past the initial surprise and displeasure at the Committee's brazenness at manipulating a Campione, albeit indirectly, the joke in this situation came to him.

Kyosuke said with a laugh. "Heh. Imagine when they find out I am also a Campione. Won't their faces be priceless to see then? Not only is there a Campione they don't know about living in Japan, but they are also playing tricks on him. It would be wonderful to see how they try to behave when they find out that I know their true colours which were shown by them only."

It was funny. No matter what, no manipulations will work on Kyosuke. He is practically seeing all that can happen to him play out on another Campione in real time, so obviously he won't be fooled in the future.

"So what will you do now?" Nova inquired after he was done imagining the future reveal, which was looking to be increasingly more amusing by the minute.

"Right, the replies." Kyosuke did not have to think on them for long. He had no plans to travel to Tokyo and show his face to Godou for now. That hasn't changed one bit, so the replies to the emails are obvious enough. "Draft replies to both. Tell Kenji that I won't be coming to Tokyo and that he should just stick to listening to what Godou has to say and he will be fine. As for Shiba, tell her that I have no intention of going to Tokyo and thank her for being polite. Though I expect her to be polite in return some day in future."

"Understood. Please check them."

Nova wrote the replies instantly and displayed them for Kyosuke to look over. Like always with such things, he made a few changes here and there and discussed with Nova on a few points before he was satisfied that it conveyed his thoughts properly. When it was done, he sent both the replies.

After that was done, he leaned back in thought.

He didn't feel bad or anything like that for the yokai. Although the email from Kenji seemed to imply they were desperate for good help, only a moron will believe it completely. Sure their situation is not good, but that doesn't mean the yokai are doomed or something.

Someone pessimistic might believe the Kyoto Yokai might follow in the Chinese Yokai's footsteps, but there is no way that will happen. Kyosuke knows Godou's personality and is not hindered by the perception of the world on Campione, so he can confidently say that forget total annihilation, the chances of even a single yokai dying at Godou's hands are slim to none.

But moving on from the Campione and his would be subordinates, the Committee requires more attention from Kyosuke.

"But man, these guys sure are something." He said with eyes narrowed in thought. "The Committee dares to act out this much. When Voban came for the hime miko, they were completely subservient and did not dare to let out a peep of protest. But now that it is Kusanagi in the picture, they have such guts. They really don't think much of the new guy huh? What do you think, Nova? How's the situation looking like in the Committee?"

He can already guess why that is so. And Nova's findings confirmed that.

"That is correct. Compared to Voban, with his reputation and ruthlessness established, Kusanagi is a complete unknown. On top of that, the budding report and character profile the Committee has on him does not inspire any respect or fear in regards to him. In fact, the exact opposite is happening as far as the higher ups are concerned."

Nova changed the hologram to show top secret reports of the Committee regarding Godou. They were so secret that they were delivered orally and no record was ever made. But since the agent who made it has a phone and carries it everywhere like any sane person, he made his report to Nova at the same time as his superiors. Since Nova knows everything, creating a report from the meeting transcript was a simple matter.

If someone from the Committee could see this, their eyes would have widened in horror and their backs covered in cold sweat. If this is leaked out, forget Godou, some other Campione would definitely come to Japan for besmirching their status by treating a Campione like this. The Committee would have a nightmare on their hands easily enough in that case.

"The Committee has observed him carefully, and more specifically, how he lets the girls in his life boss him around. From his little sister, to Blandelli, to even Mariya. It is the last that gave the Committee a special shot of confidence. Despite her actions and words resulting in Kusanagi being known as a ruffian and dangerous playboy in school and sending his reputation into the gutter, he hasn't done anything at all."

Nova coldly described Godou in a way that not even the Committee had dared to write down. Even when speaking in a secret meeting room, hidden away from prying eyes and protected against all manner of spying methods, they hadn't dared to be this blunt and, frankly, disrespectful.

"All he does is speak out and stammer a few protests without conviction. But then Mariya or Blandelli would act in a way that is contrary to what he would have just said and all Kusanagi would do in response is twiddle his thumbs and look for all the world like he is just showing off in a way as the two girls behave in a way none would expect for their beauty and ability. In other words, he gives off the impression he is humble bragging."

"It is kind of similar to how you would expect an anime protagonist to behave. The same has been mentioned by many boys at his school with gritted teeth and blazing anger. A week of observing such antics was enough and now the Committee is sure Kusanagi is not going to use his power since he speaks and acts in ways that indicate he is as irrational as the rest of the known Campione. It's just that his obsession of being normal means he is willing to shut out the world and stay as far away as possible from it all, meaning they can try to prop him up as a figurehead with no real power. A puppet king, essentially."

After Nova was done, Kyosuke stayed silent and smiled coldly at the assessment. Anime protagonist indeed. It was exactly as Kyosuke had predicted after finding out Godou's situation.

There are both pros and cons to this. The major and most obvious benefit is that the chances of Godou coming in conflict with Kyosuke are very low. As long as Kyosuke keeps to himself like he has done till now, the other Campione will reciprocate and they can live in Japan without troubling each other.

Another benefit is that Godou is unlikely to support either the Committee or yokai or any other clan or individual into spreading their influence across Japan and bring the country under their rule, whether overt or covert.

That is also great, since Kyosuke would definitely not stand for it if some politician or jumped up mage thinks they can boss him around. He would have to annihilate them and Godou as well in that case.

But there is a big con as well if Godou turns out to be the typical anime protagonist. Namely the fact that the majority of the male protagonists never harm any female enemies. Even more when the enemy is beautiful, which is the case for all female mages and supernatural races.

Oh they might fight and subdue them, but they would never kill them or even handle them in a way they are no longer a threat. The moment it becomes clear that Godou is averse to harming females who act with impunity, that will be the moment when all sorts of scum and schemers come out of their holes and start stirring up things right in the country Kyosuke lives in.

And he is rather sure that is going to happen one way or another. Because with the way the Eighth Campione is going about this, people would start testing to see how much they can get away with soon enough.

Having power is one thing, but being willing to use it another. Although a lot of people can be deterred just by having the necessary power, 'a lot' is not the same as 'all'. There will always be those who think themselves too cleaver or immune to any and all repercussions. Such people will never be deterred by some hypothetical scenarios which others have thought up but never actually seen occur in real time. So they will definitely try shit.

If the one being dragged in it shows their fangs and acts ruthless enough, then things will end there, like how they have for all the Campione in history.

But if the one being dragged continues to act like a pushover and doesn't take things seriously, then things will go down fast. In that situation, even those who were cowed initially will start getting ideas.

This is why in the current world, no one wants to provoke the First and Second Campione. The former has his undead servants he uses frequently, which are a great display of what consequences await those who make him really displeased at them. While the latter has had a major faction wiped out just because of a perceived slight, like those characters from the Chinese novels who talk about killing off a city or kingdom just like that.

With such obvious examples showing without a shadow of doubt that they are willing to use their powers and not hold back, it is obvious why no one will want to provoke them. The few who do, because there are just such people in the world no matter what happens, are stopped by those around them to not be dragged into the inevitable doom.

Kyosuke sighed. Thinking on all this really irritates him a lot. Politics is such a pain and unnecessary thing in his opinion. Why can't people mind their own business and not make life difficult for others only because they can?

"Just keep an eye on things." He finally said after stewing in silence for a while. "If things start showing signs of destabilizing, then inform me. And-" he suddenly stopped, a thought crossing his mind for the first time.

"...and also keep an eye on the Utsusemi Agency's spies in the Committee." He had a weird expression when he ordered that. "If any of them succeed in seducing Kusanagi, do tell me immediately."

The chance of that happening is so small it might as well be zero, but you never know. Most likely, the thought would never cross the minds of those crazies to attempt something which lacks immediate bloodshed and carnage for the Guardian Clans. They are too blinded by their need to get back at their respective clans to think rationally and come with such a plan which has a big chance of working.

The most obvious method that Kyosuke imagines them attempting would be…

His eyes narrowed and a dangerous look flashed past his eyes. "Remember to keep a close eye on the whole Utsusemi Agency. If they try to manipulate events to make Kusanagi my enemy, then immediately inform me."

"Understood. I will monitor the situation without fail. Anything else?"

"Nothing for now." He said and waved his hand.

After a few seconds of pondering on the situation, he got up to start preparing to leave for school, his mind busy with what he should do. Or even if he should do anything or not.

With an example before him showing just how arrogant and manipulative the Committee are, he will have to think of how to treat them after his status becomes public knowledge. Though frankly there is nothing new he needs to do.

He is already on track in terms of personal strength. He is stronger than any Campione in history by a large margin, so none of the current ones are any threat to him in a one on one fight. And since multiple Campione teaming up is impossible with their personalities, he doesn't have to worry about landing in a situation against a group where 1 plus 1 is more than 2.

As for the gods? Again, he is far more powerful than the strongest god that can become Heretic. And he has varied enough Authorities that he can always bring out something to handle every type of enemy and not fall into the awkward situation of running out of options to use.

Not to mention he has the home field advantage if the fight occurs in Chiba. It is his Territory after all, so he is confident enough to take on dozens at once and wipe them out before anyone realizes anything amiss.

In terms of reputation he is also good for now. During his time in the Institute, he had killed a lot of stray devils and rogue yokai. In fact, he took such an initiative that it made many wonder if he was not becoming a battle maniac or losing his mind slowly and becoming a sociopath or psychopath, especially with the way he sought out magic beasts and divine beasts in the Netherworld in his early teenage years.

So his reputation is set for now.

Then, in terms of numbers which he can bring on the table, he has a lot of catalysts which can be made into divine beasts without any input of divine power from him. He has already infused enough fuel in them during their production that after they are deployed, they will become independent units under his command and not require any upkeep so long as the damage to them is kept to a certain limit. So he is not concerned with being overwhelmed by numbers.

This is even more when the various golems he has are taken into account. With a bit of work, they can be repurposed as foot soldiers and cannon fodder, albeit high quality ones. Or his favourite - death soldiers. When a golem made from something as precious as mithril explodes because of enchantments woven from divine power, the result is enough to blow up Paladins and the like into pieces without trouble.

So they will be very high level cannon fodder if used.

He also has catalysts for different Authorities which can increase his power by several degrees as a trump card. He also has a ton of healing, warding and other magic items which are useful on fights of his level. And they all come from sources which he mines and harvests regularly, so his stock only increases everyday.

His personal world is very well managed after all, so shifting to a war footing is unneeded because it is already on it. Because what else can the production of all these strategic resources be called?

So all in all, his war arsenal is sufficient enough to last him over several months of prolonged fights. And he also has an emergency fund of Credits set aside to use in a pinch. The moment things turn against him even slightly, he can use them and turn his situation around immediately.

So that leaves… nothing for him to do?

'Oh wow. I already have everything I can need huh. My preparations are already complete.' Kyosuke thought with slight surprise and amazement while on his way to Sobu.

Logically he knew that this was inevitable. After all, he has worked himself to the bone over the past two years. It would have been ridiculous if he didn't have such results.

Ridiculous and shameful. But thankfully he has made full use of his advantages and is now secure in his position.

When that thought crossed his mind, his shoulders relaxed imperceptibly and his demeanor became slightly cheerful. If he was more emotive, he might have whistled or plastered a smug grin on his face.

But he has more control than that, so he just had a pleased smile on his lips while walking, like he was only having a good morning. With a conscious acknowledgement of his situation, it seems like he can spend more time into getting some companions now.

He can't stay stuck on anime waifus even now after becoming so much successful. That would be too pitiful when he is already living in an anime world. He has to start taking the initiative and approach others instead of just waiting for them to come to him for whatever reason. Otherwise he will never get a girlfriend like this.

Though the thought of a girlfriend reminds him about how ridiculous it is that even now no one has found that he is a Campione, otherwise he would have been swarmed in marriage offers by now.

It's not like he is actively hiding himself. His fight with Circe is there in the Akashic Records for anyone capable enough to see, but it seems like people don't just randomly go looking there for threats or major events happening around the world unless there is a credible reason for it.

But still. When he had just moved to Chiba, a few of the low and mid tier clans had probed him about his thoughts on an arranged marriage. Clans need fresh blood to keep their talents strong, and Kyosuke is a prime candidate for that, so the offers weren't surprising at all then.

He had refused those then since he was too busy. Everyone had also backed off without a fuss and he was happy with that.

But the fact no one tried again is surprising.

'Ah well. I don't want an arranged marriage anyway.' He shook his head and put the thought away from his mind. 'Now if only a girl could fall in love with me.'

He is a realist, so he knows the chances of that happening are zero if he just relies on his looks which are nothing to brag about. Because why would a beautiful girl or woman want to be with a plain looking guy? Since he wants a beautiful girlfriend, obviously a beautiful girl will want a handsome boyfriend.

So it falls onto him to take the initiative and approach some girls first. At the very least, he needs to get some friends as a first step. The rest can proceed from there as his name slowly spreads.

So when Kyosuke arrived at Sobu, he was thinking about all the girls he has met there and whom he could be friends with. There weren't that many candidates though.

He ignored the chatter and excitement around him. The students were talking about the Nakano quintuplets. If it was possible, the sisters were attracting even more attention today since many people were aware of their different personalities and quirks after just a single day for some reason.

When Kyosuke entered the gate, someone called out to him. He was deep in thought but still heard it. Though it was a very surprising thing, considering he has zero friends and zero acquaintances who would talk to him when he approaches them, let alone them coming to him.

So it is only fitting that the one who called out was neither a friend nor an acquaintance. Kyosuke can only describe her as a minor source of entertainment to him. And one whom he will lose interest in soon enough from how things are going currently.

He is talking about Hiratsuka-sensei of course. He watched with surprise and slight confusion as she walked up to him. He was confused on why she has the time to waste by bothering him.

He knows for a fact she has a far more important and pressing concern in her life, namely her single status. Whenever her unmarried status is brought up, her reaction is very drastic and by now the whole school knows that. So one would think she would be more focused on that instead of 'helping' Kyosuke when he clearly doesn't care about her and Yukino's opinions.

When Hiratsuka-sensei neared him, the first thing to happen was her expression twisting into a scowl for a brief moment. "I feel like you are thinking something rude about me, Sachi." It was a strong feeling apparently, since she didn't bother to greet him and even cracked her knuckles together, trying to look menacing. "For your sake I hope not."

It failed to do anything to Kyosuke, the guy who can stare down monsters capable of annihilating the world if left unchecked. Though it did impress him slightly how accurate her intuition was.

His [Mind Magic] is at an absurd level now, seeing as it was his earliest Skill. So not even an Authority can breach his defenses despite conducting a full on assault and discarding all subtlety. And his other defenses, namely defenses against other means like divination, clairvoyance, scrying and all that can be used to deduce his thoughts and actions, are also top notch.

But despite that, this non-magical woman could get an inkling that he was thinking something rude about her. It was very impressive, since this gut feeling or intuition is what starts people on their path to magic in most cases and is an indicator of her having talent.

And come to think of it, this is not the first time he was experiencing such intuition either. On his first day, when he was talking to Alisa from his class after school was over, she had also sensed that the reason he was happy about the first day of school had nothing to do with what makes high school relevant.

Maybe it is something unique to the women of the world? The fabled 'woman's intuition', just dialed up to a whole other level?

Thinking about such things did not hinder Kyosuke in responding to the impatient teacher before him though. "Good morning to you as well sensei." He said without a bow and with a slightly casual posture, showing he wasn't thrilled to see her. "What can I do for you?"

She was perceptive enough to pick on that. Her hands stopped making that threatening gesture as a frown crossed her face. It vanished after a moment or so since they were out in the open and have an audience too.

An audience which was watching with curious eyes even though none of them did anything as blatant as stopping and staring. It still sent their tongues wagging though, so Hiratsuka-sensei decided to let him off the hook this once.

This is one thing that Kyosuke quite likes about Japanese etiquette in general. Although they are mostly cumbersome and he used to get irritated a lot when he had to first learn them, they can also be useful to show your disinterest in the other party with just a slight gesture and without needing to be directly rude or insulting.

Like how he refers to everyone with a '-san' whenever he speaks. It is a sign of politeness, true, but it is also a sign of distance. It shows that Kyosuke and the person he is talking to are not close at all and are merely strangers who have nothing to do with each other.

When needed, it makes it simple to imply that the other person should mind their own business and scram quickly since he is not interested in whatever they have.

Although to his amusement very few people pick up on the second meaning. Most just think he is being polite and formal and feel good about themselves.

Hiratsuka-sensei coughed lightly and put her hands in her lab coat's pocket, though she still looked at him with slightly narrow eyes. "I need to talk to you regarding the club. So come to the guidance counselor office during lunch without fail."

Kyosuke was not surprised since that is the only reason why she would approach him. So he nodded without showing any signs of the exasperation and boredom he was feeling.

"Okay." He said curtly with a nod to indicate his acknowledgement. "I will be there on time, sensei. Is there anything else?"

She gave him a long look but shook her head. "No. Just remember to be on time."

She turned and walked away, the students parting around her to make way. Many were looking at Kyosuke as subtly as they could manage, which is to say they were not subtle at all.

Kyosuke ignored them and resumed walking. He can guess why Hiratsuka-sensei wants to meet him so soon. While checking on Yukino yesterday, she must have noticed something from her face and body language. Although he is sure that Yukino is not someone who would run to tattle to a teacher, she is too arrogant and stubborn for that, it shouldn't be difficult for Hiratsuka-sensei to come to her own conclusion.

He just hopes this meeting is not too dull. If he has to repeat the same thing again and again, about youth and making connections and such, then he would be leaving the club immediately.

XXX

During lunch, when the bell rang signaling its beginning, Kyosuke went to the guidance counselor office immediately. Anyways, he doesn't have to eat regular food like the rest of the school, so even if this meeting drags on, it won't affect him.

Though since it would affect Hiratsuka-sensei, the chances of that happening are low. He cannot imagine that woman going hungry the whole day just to leacture him.

…Or not. He can imagine that woman eating her lunch while classes are going on and if she is free. She is casual like that.

When he arrived at the staffroom and was reaching to knock on the door, the door suddenly opened and someone walked out in a straight line, almost running into him. Fortunately Kyosuke has insane reflexes and stepped away before they could collide and fall.

"Oh my! I didn't see you there!"

"It's fine sensei." He said casually when he saw just who had almost run into him.

Short green hair which is a unique colour even in this world, round glasses which make her look more like a college student than a teacher, an expression which can be said to the opposite of stern and a prominent figure with her breasts emphasized. It was Yamada-sensei, the most easy going teacher at Sobu.

She was also an airhead and a bit clumsy, which is acknowledged by the entirety of the third year students.

"There is no problem since nothing happened anyway." Kyosuke stepped aside to make way for her to walk out. "You seem to be in a hurry, by the way. Don't let me stop you."

She was about to say something, undoubtedly about the almost miss, when his words made her stop. Then her expression became frantic. "That's right! The special bread combo in the cafeteria will be gone if I am late!"

She rushed away swiftly, leaving a "Sorry for almost hitting you!" behind.

Kyosuke watched her go for a second. Then he slightly shook his head and entered the staffroom.

'No wonder why she is the favourite teacher with an unanimous vote.' Even he has a small smile from her antics, let alone the students who are stressed out by high school and the prospect of moving out into society after graduation.

Stepping in, he saw the staffroom was almost empty, with the only occupant being Hiratsuka-sensei, who was just about to light a cigarette.

When they locked eyes, she froze in the middle of starting her lighter. Kyosuke did not speak anything, but his eyes clearly conveyed what he thought of her actions. She looked like she was about to say something when the sound of footsteps and different voices conversing neared.

Hiratsuka-sensei looked from her lighter to the door and back to the lighter. The indecision could be seen on her face easily. She was torn between smoking or not since there was a student before her and other teachers would be stepping in soon.

Her expression was quite vivid in Kyosuke's opinion, so she must have really wanted that smoke. But in the end she decided on the sensible option which wouldn't get her scolded again and put away her lighter and cigarette stick in her pockets.

She sighed and jerked her head at the guidance counselor office. "It's good that you are on time. Come on in."

Kyosuke followed behind as she turned away, thankful he won't have to suffer through the smell of tobacco. He can of course filter it without affecting his ability to detect any other anomalous substances via his nose, but that doesn't mean he has to do that to accommodate Hiratsuka-sensei.

'But really, addiction is a really bad thing. Even if not smoking and drinking, I have to be more mindful of other stuff as well and mind my manners. Otherwise I might also become someone who cannot get married in the future just like her.'

Objectively speaking, Hiratsuka-sensei is quite beautiful and sexy. Her drab clothes, especially that lab coat, do nothing to hide her prominent figure. But she is still single.

So there must be some reason why no man shows interest in her.

Hiratsuka-sensei had no idea he was thinking that about her, treating her as an example of what not to do. If she knew, she would definitely blow a gasket at his unflattering thoughts.

The two of them stepped into the sectioned off area and when he took his seat opposite her, her expression showed she was clearly not happy with the previous interruption. But she schooled her features and moved on from that to look at him with a serious gaze.

"Right. Since it's lunch and we both need to get to our food, I will make this short. I decided to check on Yukinoshita yesterday after club hours were over. She seemed to be in a foul mood and did not say what had happened between you two, no matter how much I asked. Not to mention how you were not there when I visited."

She paused, giving him a chance to explain himself. But he stayed quiet and kept looking back calmly, urging her on if there was anything else she has to say. So she had to ask it explicitly. "So, how has club been? And what did you do yesterday the whole time you were there?"

"Nothing of importance happened at club." He said with a shrug. "I did my homework like I did on Wednesday. After I was done, Yukinoshita-san and I traded some insults again, just like we did on Wednesday. By the end of that, enough time had passed and so I left. She did not have any objections to it since it is obvious none of us want to spend more time than necessary around each other."

Hiratsuka-sensei had expected something like that from Yukino's face yesterday. That did not mean she was happy her guess was accurate. On the contrary, she was very displeased and disappointed. And she did not mind showing that from how her lips twisted and her eyes bore into Kyosuke with an intense look.

"I hope you understand you are not in the Service Club to do your homework or trade insults. Or was there ever any doubt regarding the aim of you joining it? Did Yukinoshita not explain things to you on the first day itself?"

"She sure did." He agreed with slight amusement. "I believe you were standing outside, listening to each word and insult that was said."

His retort made her eyes twitch at his bluntness and lack of tact. Didn't he know that such things are only acknowledged implicitly and not spoken loud like this? It ruins the image she wants to convey about her.

But Hiratsuka-sensei at least knew now that if she starts arguing with him, he will not back off and they will be stuck here for the whole lunch. So she ignored the second half of his words for now and moved on. She has plenty of time to straighten him out.

"If you continue this attitude, you will never be able to work with Yukinoshita. The two of you will continue going around in circles and not progress an inch, which is a complete waste of time. It is also not what I want out of this arrangement."

Kyosuke tilted his head at that. "What a curious thing to say, sensei. And just why do you think I will want to 'progress' in any way with Yukinoshita-san? I think I made it clear I didn't want to join this Service Club on Wednesday itself. My opinion hasn't changed from then and won't change in the future as well."

All he received in response was a profound look of disappointment, like he is an immature kid spouting things he has no idea about.

"How old are you that you are speaking like that? Not to mention that this is your punishment, so you have no right to refuse anyway. You need to grow up, Sachi. And growing up means we need to face situations we don't like. Life is not so convenient that you can pick and choose what you want or don't want. You didn't want to join the club, that's true. But can't you understand that there is a reason I made you join it?"

To give Yukino a doormat to walk on and stroke her superiority complex? To reassure her that even though she is second fiddle to her elder sister at home, there are many others out in the world who are beneath her?… is what Kyosuke wanted to say, but did not.

"Do you have any friends?" She asked, suddenly switching topics.

"No." He answered truthfully and without hesitation, because there is nothing to be ashamed of in this.

Though the way she nodded like it was expected gave him an urge to say something sarcastic or rude in return, like how many friends she has.

"Any girlfriend?"

"No." Kyosuke's lips twitched a little. He was just thinking about that in the morning and now she is asking him about the same topic?

"Any siblings?"

Kyosuke gave her a deep look at that.

"Any cousins your age are fine as well." She added when he stayed silent, interpreting his expression wrongly.

If Kyosuke didn't know better, he would say she was deliberately being rude and insulting. But since he knows better, that she doesn't really care about him to be deliberately malicious, but only what can be done for Yukino, he did not point out the obvious.

"Again, no. So what's the point of all these questions?"

"I am getting to that." She said. "Since you are a loner from all accounts by your own admission and aren't close to anyone your age, why can't you get along with Yukinoshita? It will only be beneficial for you."

She finished earnestly, though the effect was ruined by the fact she hasn't even bothered to look at his student profile. How can she help someone whose situation she has zero idea of?

All she is doing is work with preconceived notions and assuming everything. It is only making her look bad even more.

Kyosuke just gave her a bored look in response. "I might get along with her if she can just go a sentence without being rude or insulting. It is hard to be polite when the one you are talking to doesn't want to be."

He meant it as a jab against her and Yukino both, though of course she thought he was only referring to the latter.

She stayed silent for a while and then spoke slowly, like she was being careful with her words.

"I can guess what you are thinking. You have based your opinion of her fully on the first impression, but that is not all she is. Sachi, do you know that those who are gifted have their own difficulties? Others are often jealous of them. The results are barbed insults and isolation from the peers. In extreme cases, those jealous might even try to bring those gifted down to their level instead of bettering themselves."

The more she spoke, the cooler Kyosuke's expression became. He couldn't believe this woman could say that with such conviction.

"You have seen how beautiful and smart Yukinoshita is. She is number one in her year in studies in all subjects without fail and among the top in sports. Because of this, she is isolated by her peers. Just because she looks fine doesn't mean she is fine. It may not seem like it, but she also wants friends and others her age to talk to her. If you just reach out to her, she will definitely surprise you. She is just a victim of her circumstances."

After she was done speaking, Hiratsuka-sensei kept looking at him with an imploring look, as if encouraging him to agree with her and declare that he will 'save' Yukino from her situation and, if he has to be more corny, from herself even.

But Kyosuke kept staring back with a cold face, any amusement he might have derived from her delusional outlook when it comes to Yukino extinguished by the sheer bullshit he just heard.

From which angle is Yukino a victim of her circumstances? If by circumstances Hiratsuka-sensei meant how that girl cannot go a sentence without insulting everyone she talks to, then sure. She is a real 'victim' and is definitely not reaping what she sows.

Then there was that rubbish about gifted people and what not. Honestly, the way she speaks, one would think that Hiratsuka-sensei has never seen someone truly gifted. Neither has she seen what real scorn and isolation looks like.

Kyosuke has. He has seen everything there is to see about victims of circumstances and how gifted people suffer. And Yukino falls under exactly zero of those categories.

Kyosuke was torn between laughing at her or getting angry. From what angle is Yukino gifted? Since when is being top of the year considered enough to earn scorn from your peers? Each year has one such 'gifted' person, and if you start counting all the years in all the schools over the whole country, the number of such gifted people will be too much to label them as anything special.

So everything that Hiratsuka-sensei just said is rubbish. One need not look beyond Sobu itself to disprove all of her claims about Yukino.

Isn't the Madonna of Sobu High the best example? Top ten of her year and considered number one in terms of beauty at Sobu. The one considered her equal used to be a child actress, but since that girl is a loner and recluse now, Maria Kujou has overtaken her for the undisputed first place by now. She is well like by all, teacher and student alike, boy and girl alike.

Going by Hiratsuka-sensei's logic, all of these gifted girls including Maria and Mai should also be on the receiving end of scorn and isolation of the student body. But that is not the case at all since no one says anything bad about them like they have a need to get back at them.

There is a reason why even the first years have some inkling of how unpleasant it is to be around Yukino, and it is not because they all have interacted with her personally.

Still, he did not refute anything she said. Going by her expression, she has already marked him off as an angsty teen who has an inflated opinion of himself and thinks he knows more than his betters. She will definitely not listen to whatever he says.

So he decided to just continue with her thoughts.

Thinking that, his expression eased. Hiratsuka-sensei thought he had seen things her way, but his next words poured cold water on her.

"So? What do I have to do with that?"

"Huh?" Her frozen and shocked expression was funny, so Kyosuke's mood improved slightly.

"You say that gifted people have their own difficulties. Sure, I believe you. But what does that have to do with me specifically? Even more, why should I care about Yukinoshita-san specifically?"

"Why? Do you really have to ask that?" She asked incredulously.

She thought there was something wrong with her ears. Surely he wasn't saying that…?

"Of course." But Kyosuke confirmed that no, she wasn't having hearing problems and yes, he really is asking that. "She and I are strangers, so I have no reason to think about her. We are neither friends nor acquaintances. On top of that she has been very rude to me, so why do I have to show concern for her?"

By the end he sounded mocking, like the very notion was so absurd it did not need spelling out, but he still did her the courtesy of doing so.

"Why are you like this? I get that you were forced into the club, but did you not hear a word of what I just said? Don't let your first impression of her taint your view and give her a chance. If will make things better for you as well."

"Wrong." Kyosuke shook his head and said firmly. "You are wrong about that, sensei. Getting along or not with Yukinoshita-san won't affect me in any way, whether now or in future. This is because she is irrelevant to my life, just a passerby I will forget all about after graduating from high school. Even now, I can assure you that thoughts about her do not occupy my mind or time more than the duration of the Service Club. And this will never change."

Evidently Hiratsuka-sensei did not like that. She was getting agitated now and it showed in the way she was speaking faster and in a slightly raised voice.

"That attitude is a real problem with you, Sachi. I have said so much and all you do is wave it away callously? Does my advise mean nothing to you? I assure you I only have your best interests at heart. You can see that Yukinoshita is also friendless like you, so the two of you can come to an understanding. It will make high school less lonely and make you realize what you have been missing out on."

Her jaw was set in a determined look and her fists were clenched by the end. She was also glaring at him now. It was obvious to see how much this means to her.

Or rather, how much Yukino means to her. Kyosuke was unimpressed though. He just gave her a bland look. Then the last part of what she said went through his mind and it clicked for him, another piece falling into the picture.

Now he was openly smirking at her. "You just said something very interesting, sensei. So is that your angle? You think I have been isolated or bullied like Yukinoshita-san and so will become best buddies with her?" He shook his head at her, letting out a short laugh. "I have to say, you have a very active imagination, sensei."

Indeed. She has seen his grades and as boys get in more physical fights than girls, Hiratsuka-sensei reached such a conclusion prematurely. Well, if it were some regular high schooler then it wouldn't even be wrong. But since it is Kyosuke who is the subject, this conclusion is way off mark.

He isn't lashing out because of being hurt or anything like that. In fact, just the idea of him being hurt by irrelevant people is so laughable he did not bother hiding his thoughts.

The more he laughed and openly showed his amusement, the worse Hiratsuka-sensei's mood became.

Things were not going at all how she wanted. She had found that he was the number one on the entrance exam with a perfect score. So she concluded that he was like Yukino and was bullied and isolated like her after he went that hard on the bullies, like how Yukino uses words to protect herself. She thought that the two geniuses can bond over their similar experiences if they spend time with each other.

But obviously things are way different than the ideal scenario she dreamed up. So Hiratsuka-sensei was really disappointed and frustrated.

And accompanying that was anger. She was angry that Kyosuke could be so callous about Yukino and wave her off as irrelevant.

Since she didn't hide any of it, Kyosuke saw everything. And he was unmoved by her changing expressions. If anything, he looked down on her even more after knowing just what weird fantasies she cooks up in that brain.

Maybe the toll of being single is more serious than Kyosuke initially estimated? Or maybe she is just stupid when it comes to Yukino?

When she kept silently looking at him, Kyosuke decided to speak up. Otherwise the whole lunch will be over just by talking about Yukino and that will really sour his mood for the day.

"Is that all sensei? I still need to eat my lunch." He didn't, not really. But it was still a good and valid excuse to stop this nonsense.

She gave him one last disappointed look and sighed, like he was an unruly and rebellious teenager acting foolishly. "You may go. But Sachi, think on it properly." But of course she has to get the last word in. "With the way you are now, you won't be enjoying your youth, being alone and isolated like this. In the future, you will look back on your time at high school and think how things would have gone if only you had done them differently. But there is no medicine for regret and you will have to carry it with yourself for the rest of your life."

Kyosuke scoffed openly, not caring it was rude. He was at the end of his patience by now simply because this was a worthless topic for him.

"No way will that ever happen. I never regret my actions because I am the only one who decides on them. Even if the outcome is one I don't like later down the line, even then I won't regret it. Because it is all on me. My successes and failures are mine because I choose them, not because I followed someone else blindly. And I believe in myself to live my life, not listen to others who put up a facade to hide their hypocrisy and that too in such a flimsy manner."

He ended that with a disgusted look directed at her and strode out, without waiting for a reply and without bothering with any etiquette when addressing a teacher. It was such an abrupt change from his usual mannerisms that Hiratsuka-sensei was too stunned to stop and call him back.

By the time she snapped out of it and got up to look around the partition, he was long gone from the staffroom. With her plan being an epic failure, she took out a cigarette and lit it up. Then she took a deep drag moodily, thinking on how she can help Yukino and correct Kyosuke's attitude.

She wasn't going to give up so easily after all, no matter how much the students in question protest or insist that there is no need for her interference.

XXX

For the second half of classes, Kyosuke did not think further on the matter of the Service Club or Yukino or Hiratsuka-sensei. Because really, what was there to think about anyway? They are hypocrites, plain and simple.

But just that is not enough to annoy him since he knows the whole world is the same. He himself is a hypocrite and he admits it wholeheartedly. After all, people do only what they want to and most of the time that results in them only looking out for themselves. So expecting everyone to be honest and truthful is ridiculous.

The reason he is pissed off at Yukino and Hiratsuka-sensei is that they are the worst type of hypocrites - the type that have a need to put up a facade and act all righteous like all they do, they do it for the benefit of others. When the truth is directly opposite of that.

Due to his childhood, he really doesn't like people who act all virtuous and do their best to dress up their everything as benign and then get all angry and offended when someone points out the falseness and insincerity in them.

At least Kyosuke is honest enough to admit that he is selfish and his actions are not altruistic at all. Even when he acts like a philanthropist and donates money, everyone involved knows that it is because he wants to do that and might similarly just stop one day if he so desires.

Unlike some people, who need to make it seem like they are doing a favour to others and so they should not be ungrateful and accept the 'favour' with gratitude.

So when Kyosuke went to the Service Club after classes were over, he wasn't in the mood to speak to Yukino for any reason.

The area was as deserted as yesterday and when he knocked on the door and waited for the all clear to enter, the response that came was somehow even colder than yesterday's.

"Enter."

Kyosuke entered and saw that Yukino was already engrossed in her book, doing her best to not look at him. Even when he sat on his chair and adjusted the desk before him, there was no reaction from her. She was determined to treat him as air and Kyosuke found that agreeable.

So he did not say anything unnecessary which would make them return back to the same arguments and insults as before. Seeing as there was no homework for him to do, he just took out his phone to pass the time.

So the two spent their time in silence, with the only noise being the wind blowing in from outside and sending the curtains fluttering. Kyosuke idly wondered whether it was a deliberate effort on Yukino's part that the curtains swayed and intermittently covered her figure from him.

It gave her a sombre look from the position he was sitting in, like a painting made to elicit deep emotions from the viewer. No doubt, if he was replaced by any other boy his age, they would have cracked under this atmosphere soon enough and started blabbering apologies for all their actions till now.

But since it was Kyosuke there, he just relaxed back in his chair some more and was content with the silence. It was much better than the rubbish Yukino insisted on speaking before, so it was a very welcome change of pace.

But it seems like that is not the only change from previous days. After about ten minutes of silence, Kyosuke's attention was attracted by something else.

He sensed three people coming this way, as in, to this deserted and empty part of the school building. He initially thought they were passing by or might be there to use any of the other empty classrooms. Maybe a new club was about to be established? Or some students have need of some space to do some project or something?

But no, the answer was none of that. Surprisingly, the three people stopped before the entrance to the Service Club. They talked about something and the hushed whispers, although not clear enough to make out what was being said, were audible enough inside the room that even Yukino looked up from her focused reading.

'Seems like there is a request already.' He looked at the door curiously, wondering who might be here. A glance at Yukino's face showed a fleeting look of surprise, so she wasn't aware about this beforehand.

Then a knock sounded out. With a "Enter" from Yukino, the door opened to reveal three of the quintuplets outside. As they entered and the last one closed the door behind her, Yukino slightly straightened up.

She gave a glance at Kyosuke and found he was watching with surprise and curiosity, so that meant this was not something of his doing, not that she believed he has the capacity to interact with the famous quintuplets. Then she turned back to the newcomers.

Kyosuke used [Observe] to get their names, if only to not confuse them with who said what. He also observed their moods which were very different when they all saw Yukino.

The one with long hair which went down to her waist and having butterfly shaped ribbons, one on each side, was Nino. She was the one in the lead and seemed impatient and reluctant to be here.

The second one was Itsuki with medium length hair past her shoulders. She has twin star shaped hairpins near both eyes and looked around with a critical look, like she was appraising Yukino's worth and debating whether to proceed with whatever had brought them here in the first place.

The last was Miku, who seemed to be a silent observer as she trailed behind her sisters with a placid look. She has medium length hair ending above her shoulders and has blue wireless headphones on her neck, something which made Yukino raise an eyebrow at the blatant disregard for school uniform code.

"Yes? How may I help you?" She started off politely enough. Or as politely as she could be in her current mood, which came off as standoffish and very distant. Then she had to provoke the sisters immediately as she turned to Miku. "And please put away the headphones, Nakano-san. It is a violation of the uniform code and might get you in trouble."

Kyosuke did not suppress the smile that came across his face. Trust her to be rigid right off the bat and sour the moods of the first clients the club has seen in who knows how long. Though he was curious why she suddenly targetted them like this with a trivial matter.

The sisters expressions clearly conveyed what they thought of that, though Miku seemed to shrink in on herself a bit from the coldness in Yukino's tone which was very much not expected.

At least not for something this trivial, since no one else had pointed it out yesterday and even today. Even Hiratsuka-sensei did not do so when she met the sisters and sent them here, and she is a teacher, unlike Yukino.

"What was that? Who do you think you are, speaking so rudely to us?" Nino marched forward with a scowl and demanded. Yukino's way of speaking rubbed her the wrong way as it seemed to her this girl was just taking out her bad mood on Miku.

It wasn't a wrong guess since Yukino would not have pointed it out under usual circumstances, believing it to be beneath her to point out such obvious deficiencies in others.

Yukino and Kyosuke both were taken by surprise by her demeanor. Then Kyosuke sent an approving look her way for standing up for her sister and not taking any shit, while Yukino closed her book with a snap and drew herself up as much as she could while sitting.

"I merely pointed out how your sister is breaking the uniform code and I believe there is nothing rude about that, unlike the way you are speaking currently. So there is no need to overreact, Nakano-san, not unless you believe that you are above the school rules and hence exempt from them." Yukino said with a dismissive tone. Then her eyes grew sharp as she matched Nino's gaze. "As for who I am?" She let out a dramatic sigh. "I guess it can't be helped you don't know me, seeing as you joined Sobu just yesterday."

Nino's eyes twitched at her attitude. Itsuki walked forward to stand beside her and the two sisters stood in solidarity as they looked down at Yukino, who glared back without giving an inch. Kyosuke watched with the look of someone watching a movie and leaned back in his chair to get as comfortable as he could.

"You are Yukino Yukinoshita, correct?" Itsuki asked in a no nonsense tone. She put a hand on Nino's shoulder to stop her from getting into a verbal spat. There was no need to get riled up from the words of this arrogant girl as it would only waste their time. "And this is the Service Club according to Hiratsuka-sensei?"

Yukino just inclined her head slightly but did not respond, like it was something obvious which did not need to be put in words. Itsuki took in a sharp breath to not explode at that and looked to Kyosuke for confirmation, the only other member of this strange 'club' they were sent to meet.

"That's right. This is the Ice Queen of Sobu, Yukino Yukinoshita-san." Kyosuke said with a grin. "A self proclaimed perfect girl, though you won't find any admirers of hers coming here to confess their love for her." He finished in a joking manner.

Since things were looking interesting now, he decided to needle Yukino. From the mention of Hiratsuka-sensei, it is obvious the sisters were sent by her to either join the club or get a request fulfilled. But from what Kyosuke can sense, the sisters aren't here to do either of that and were actually eager to be out of here.

Most likely they were forced to come here by that teacher and because of that were just going through the motions to get it over with.

Yukino's eyes flashed in anger at the useless trivia provided by her 'club member'. She snapped at him for that. "No one asked you for your warped views, Sachi-san, so keep your mouth shut. It won't be needed since you hardly have anything meaningful to say since the only thing of worth you can contribute is silence."

"Now now, Ms. President of the Service Club, is that any way to speak before guests? It will give off a poor impression, which I am sure you don't want. After all, you have such an idol-like reputation among the students, we wouldn't want that to be tarnished for the new transfers, right?" He said with a laugh, not minding her words in the slightest and waving them off inconsequentially.

"Besides, they might even be clients, lost and pitiful lamb in need of your wisdom, so you should behave yourself and give off a good impression. What if you scare them off? Their lives will be ruined if they miss out on this once in a life chance. How can you do that with a clear conscience?"

The sarcasm was obvious in his words and couldn't be missed by even the most thickheaded of people. Yukino did not appreciate that at all. He was making her look bad before outsiders in her club, which is unacceptable to her on so many levels it is no laughing matter.

The sisters could only look on with strange expressions, their anger frozen for the moment as the members of this club seemed on the verge of starting a fight among themselves. Kyosuke and Yukino kept looking at each other, one with clear amusement and mockery, edging the other on. While the recipient of said mockery looked back with clear animosity and anger, looking like she would love nothing more than to throw him out with her own hands.

Yukino opened her mouth to say something and continue the exchange when Itsuki clapped her hands. It successfully caught Yukino's attention and she turned to them after a last venomous glare at Kyosuke.

"Okay, it is clear that you have a few problems you need sorting out yourself." She said. "But you can do that later, preferably after we are done. So for now don't interrupt and listen up since I don't want to waste our time."

"Very well. Be quick then. My time is very precious." Yukino replied immediately, doing exactly the opposite of what Itsuki had just said.

The sisters grew annoyed at that, but Itsuki soldiered on. "Right. Hiratsuka-sensei sent us here, something about getting help from the top scorer of our year." She gave Yukino a withering glare. "But it's obvious this won't work out, so we are leaving now. If she asks, just tell her we did our best but things did not work out. Later then."

The girls turned around and were ready to leave just like that.

Kyosuke was disappointed they were so decisive. Why couldn't they stay for a bit more? Things were just starting, why are they abruptly finishing it?

While he was lamenting the fact there wouldn't be any fight, Yukino was thinking about something else. When Itsuki mentioned Hiratsuka-sensei, Yukino assumed that the sisters were going to be a pain like Kyosuke. But from the following words, it seems like they only need a tutor to help in their studies?

How can she miss out on such an easy request?

On second thought, why was she acting like that in the first place? The sisters weren't actually rude in any way to her in the beginning. There are so many students who violate the uniform code everyday, but Yukino is never bothered by any of them.

From the periphery of her vision, she saw Kyosuke with a disappointed look and recalled that that is the source of her current foul mood. He is the one who tainted her view of the sisters.

"Wait a minute." She said abruptly. The sisters stopped and turned to look back at her questioningly.

"Now what?" Nino asked.

"Do you require help with your studies?"

Nino snorted in a very unladylike manner. "We don't need anything. We are perfectly fine on our own. It was only that weird teacher who insisted on sending Itsuki here, so we tagged along." She sent a condescending look Yukino's way, the change in her demeanor not escaping the notice of the social butterfly of the quintuplets. "Anyway, it's clear staying here will be useless, so just tell her things didn't work out if she asks. We will do the same."

"Stop right there." Yukino said sharply.

The sisters had just turned around when they stopped again and looked at her, collectively annoyed and irritated now. Kyosuke looked at Yukino as well, wondering what has her ticked off now.

"So your grades are so abysmal that Hiratsuka-sensei felt the need to approach you on your second day at school and felt it prudent to send you to me. While you consider your grades to be of no consequence, like any typical bad student?" She shook her head at them, like their behaviour was too nonsensical.

"Are you sure leaving like this is wise? You clearly need all the help you can get if you are being warned on your second day after transferring." She flipped her hair behind her back smoothly, looking very smug and superior all the while. "And you won't find anyone willing to help you who is as capable as me."

Her arms were crossed and despite sitting down and at a distance, she made it seem like she was looking down on the sisters all the way across the room.

Kyosuke's expression changed back to one watching a show. 'Oh yeah. How can this girl let things drop like this? Isn't the topic of not attempting to change a big thing for her?'

He can't help but find amusement in the irony of how strongly Yukino thinks about change when she rejects it firmly if the subject of that change is her.

He also found it curious how she gets stuck on a single point after grabbing it. Like she just said the quintuplets were approached by Hiratsuka-sensei on their second day twice. It is just like how she keeps repeating Kyosuke's white hair and would do the same for Hachiman's fish like eyes after he joins the club in the future.

"We sure won't find anyone as narcissistic as you." Nino commented with an unimpressed look. "You sure love the sound of your voice, Ms. Ice Queen." She ended it with a reference to what Kyosuke had said previously, which as expected irked Yukino.

But Nino was about to find the meaning of Ice Queen soon enough and realize just why is it that no one at Sobu approaches Yukino now.

"When it is sound advise, of course I would like to hear it. But it seems like you are not willing to listen to your betters, Nakano-san, if you treat your grades so flippantly when they are easily the most important part of student life, unlike the fashion you seem to focus so much on." She gave a pointed look at the nail polish on Nino's fingers. "Or have you already give up on your future and accepted the fact you will wallow in mediocrity for the rest of your life?"

The sisters looked gobsmacked. They couldn't believe what they just heard and so took their time in processing that. But then their faces turned red from anger and Nino and Itsuki marched back up to Yukino, now fully intent on not leaving things be.

No one gets away after insulting them like this, no matter who it is.

"When Hiratsuka-sensei told me that there was a gifted girl who can help us, I was wondering just who it was. I was very surprised when she said your name. You see, I hadn't even heard about you before then, even though I have heard about many others like Maria Kujou and Mai Sakurajima." Itsuki sent a dazzling smile at Yukino. "Why is that?"

"Why indeed." Nine picked up where her sister left off. "Compared to the popular girls who are said to embody both beauty and brains and are liked by all, I fail to see why you would be considered 'gifted', Yukinoshita-san. It seems like you have fooled Hiratsuka-sensei very well if she ignores such obvious signs and has an opposite opinion than the rest of the school. Poor her."

She finished with a dismissive gesture, looking at Yukino from top to bottom and and making an unimpressed expression.

"Those who are jealous always degrade their targets of jealously to feel better. You see, that is the only way they can have a sense of worth because they are incapable of any meaningful effort and so can only look on as their betters keep on marching forward." Yukino gave them a pitying look. "How unfortunate that as sisters, you are only pushing each other into the abyss if you encourage such slothful and shameful behaviour."

That last part touched a nerve for the quintuplets. Kyosuke saw as their faces cooled as one into something seriously angry the moment Yukino implied the sisters not being good for each other.

'Hmm. It seems like the sisters are very close.' Kyosuke thought. It made sense if you think about it. After all, twins are always shown as possessing a unique bond in all depictions, whether in fiction or other media.

If the same is true for the quintuplets, then they must be very close. Definitely much closer than Yukino can imagine, what with her relationship with her sister not being something that can be said to be healthy.

Kyosuke's guess was right. The quintuplets consider themselves very close and cherish their bonds with each above everything else in the world.

"At least we have each other and know that we are not alone, no matter what. But what will you know? I doubt you have anyone who can tolerate you with that hateful attitude you have." Itsuki said, unknowingly hitting the mark way closer than she expected.

"Indeed. Even your clubmate seems to be fed up with your holier than thou attitude." Nino said and with that, the attention shifted to Kyosuke for a moment.

The room was taken aback by the gloating expression he had. He was leaning back in his chair and did not hide how much he was enjoying the show. It surprised the sisters and angered Yukino at being on the losing end again.

"And what are you laughing at, Sachi-san?" Yukino asked.

"Isn't that obvious?" He gave her a look that said how idiotic that question was. "I am laughing at how this request is going on. It is refreshing to see people who are not intimidated by a spoiled girl's tantrum. And you say that I am the one who denies reality."

Itsuki and Miku were surprised by the response. With the way he acts, it seems like he isn't here of his own will.

While Nino snickered at the support. "Like I said, no one seems keen to be in your company, not even your clubmate. How can you say that you are perfect then, if no one likes you?" A pause. "Though the way you can say that with a straight face is amazing in a different way. I bet no one will approach you unless forced to."

She gestured to Kyosuke lightly. "I bet this guy here was forced into this farce just like Itsuki was."

"Correct. I didn't join this club on my own initiative." Kyosuke sent a thumbs up at her, confirming her words as true even though she meant that as sarcasm. "Hiratsuka-sensei and Yukinoshita-san here have some shady things going on between them, so the former sends whoever she can to stroke the latter's ego. As you can see, it is going rather badly at the moment."

"Nothing of that sort is going on." Yukino said immediately, outrage clear on her face. Although he said 'shady', it sounded 'preferential' to her.

"You are here to fix your rotten personality, which you refuse to do as a lowly creature who spits on the good intentions of others. I am the one who has to suffer through your foul presence when it is clear nothing will ever change with you and you are already doomed. You will inevitably end up in prison when your inner criminal decides to act after being unleashed in society and the only reason I am wasting my time regardless of that in this fruitless endeavor is because Hiratsuka-sensei asked me to. So show some respect and quiet down this instant."

She spoke all that in a rush and hardly breathed in between. The room quietened down and was watching her, none expecting the loss of composure on her part, especially like that. Yukino was breathing deeply by the end and seemed to be on the verge of cursing him out.

The sisters glanced at Kyosuke, not knowing how he would react to such a rant-

"Yes, very narcissistic indeed."

-and were again surprised when he just looked back with an amused expression, looking like he was still enjoying a show.

Yukino looked at him with wide eyes, not believing how unaffected and carefree he looked. The sisters were also disbelieving, but they were also slowly inching away from the duo.

It was clear to them that there is something wrong with this club and both the members present. It would be better for them if they stay far away from everything here, lest they get dragged into it.

"Right, whatever." Itsuki said unsurely to Kyosuke's reply. Then to Yukino. "We don't need your help, so keep it for whoever comes next. We are leaving and that is final."

With her in the lead, the sisters made for the door rather quickly. Yukino watched them go, her frustration mounting. If she stops them now, it will make her look desperate to help them, which is again intolerable for her.

She could only watch as the clients that Hiratsuka-sensei sent her way left. No doubt she will have to later talk about this to her sensei and her loss of composure will come up during that.

She sent her most icy glare at Kyosuke, who yawned exaggeratedly in response. He succeeded in riling her up further.

"It seems like you are very happy ruining the noble work of this club." Her hands were folded below her chest and were gripping her arms tightly. "The saying of a rotten apple spoiling the whole bunch will never find a more fitting example than you." She spat venomously.

"Ohhh. The Ice Queen is using idioms now. You must be quite angry." He replied. "But are you sure this request fell through because of me?" He said before she could retort.

She gave him a look of pity and anger. "Is your memory going bad so soon, old man? It hasn't even been a few minutes and you already forgot what you did?"

"Again with the old reference." Kyosuke brought a hand up and scratched his chin. He looked at her contemplatively. "What are you, an elementary schooler? Such juvenile insults are not expected from a high schooler, Yukinoshita-san."

He waved a hand to blow away whatever she was about to say. "Whatever. It doesn't really matters. What I am saying is that those sisters did not look like they were interested in improving their grades."

"How would you know? I did not know you are an expert in deducing girls' mental thoughts. Or could it be?" She brought a hand to her mouth in a mock expression of surprise and horror. "You have been stalking them since yesterday, thinking up vile thoughts to enact on the quintuplets?"

Kyosuke just gave her a flat look. Right, she did speak about Hachiman as a pervert in canon too, so it isn't surprising she would do the same for Kyosuke now.

"Nothing of that sort. I am just more observant about my surroundings, unlike you. So I did not miss that the one with the longest hair directly jumped into a confrontation with you. It was almost like she wanted to escalate things."

Yukino's mouth opened and she paused, whatever scathing retort she had planned dying in her throat. The scene from before went through her mind and she closed her mouth, thinking that it did seem suspicious. Although she was colder than she should have been, that girl who stepped forward first was equally, if not more aggressive, than Yukino.

"It seems like Hiratsuka-sensei keeps sending troublesome students you way, eh Yukinoshita-san? Just think about it. It's the second day of school for them and Hiratsuka-sensei sent them here because of bad grades?" He shook his head and egged her on. "Just how bad is the situation actually? Not to mention they are transfer students, which makes it even more suspicious."

Yukino fell into a pensive silence. She hated to admit it, but Kyosuke was right on this account. Five sisters transferring to Sobu together means they are either all exceptional or their family is exceptional.

If the former was true, then they wouldn't have been sent to Yukino immediately by Hiratsuka-sensei. That means the latter is true. Combined with the eagerness with which the sisters left and did not linger any longer they needed to, it seems to point to only one conclusion - the quintuplets are spoiled brats whose parents are hoping for them to improve at Sobu.

The thought of spoiled brats made Yukino send a glare at Kyosuke since he always calls her that. It is, in her opinion, completely false and has no basis in reality.

Yukino's fists clenched. She is very aware of there being others from rich and influential backgrounds who coast on the success of their family, so the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that the Nakano sisters are just an example of that.

Her mood soured further when she realized that Kyosuke was the one who pointed it out.

"It seems like you have also realized that." A gloating voice made her look up to the only other occupant of the room. "I don't know what Hiratsuka-sensei thinks about you, but to me it seems like she is treating this as a dumping ground."

Yukino gave him a suspicious look. "It's good that you realize that your presence here is unwanted. But you are right about that, no matter how unbelievable it seems." She paused for a moment and added further. "But as the saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day, so it is not that surprising that you are right once in three days."

Her barb only elicited a chuckle from the target. "You should really talk to Hiratsuka-sensei. Who knows what kind of weirdo she might send your way next? And even if no one new comes, can you imagine trying to wrangle five girls on your own if they are forced here by Hiratsuka-sense?"

He chuckled some more, the idea being really funny. "I think you realize that that is definitely something she might do."

Yukino's gaze condensed. She has to admit, she can imagine Hiratsuka-sensei doing exactly what Kyosuke said. That teacher can act very frivolous and carefree when she wants, not considering how it might impact others.

Yukino also admits that trying to handle five girls her age who might be spoiled and unmotivated to do anything would be too much even for her. And with the example of Kyosuke right beside to look at, none of them would listen to her. It would make things needlessly difficult for Yukino.

…For the first time since Kyosuke had joined the club, Yukino was forced to admit that having him as a member might be a bad thing and have more cons than pros. If he really starts to interfere with future requests, then she must take this up with Hiratsuka-sensei.

She can't have her vision go down the drain just because of a creature that not only refuses to listen to her, but also actively does his best to ruin her work.

Seeing her deep in thought, Kyosuke just had an amused grin.

XXX

While the real Seventh Campione was busy with high school and had let go of any tension or worry about the future he subconsciously carried and was enjoying his time, the same was not true for the Eighth Campione.

On Friday, after returning home from an unimaginably stressful first week of school, courtesy of Erica Blandelli and Yuri Mariya who continued to cling onto him and spread misunderstandings everywhere, Godou Kusanagi wanted nothing more than to curl up under his blanket and sleep, forgetting all that is wrong with his life.

But alas, this young man couldn't get even a moment of respite in his own home.

"It's not good to run away from your wife, my dear Godou."

That was what he heard when he opened the door to his room, in his house, which should have been empty. Note the emphasis on 'his' and 'should', because things were not at all how they should be.

He has to unfortunately admit that things have not been how they should be for a while now, and even worse, they don't show any signs of becoming better either.

He immediately slammed the door shut, believing he was seeing things that weren't there. Right. He will just close his eyes, take a deep breath and then open the door again.

Everything will be fine. It is his room and he has evaded Erica and Yuri both at school, so there is nothing-

"How rude." Erica was standing right before him, her face almost touching his. Godou was startled and jumped back, almost falling over from the suddenness of the closeness.

"Gah! Erica!" He clutched his chest, his heart beating fast. "What are you doing!" He pointed a finger at her accusingly.

"Greeting my husband of course. What does it look like?" The casual way she said it made Godou blush and his eyes twitch. "And you." Erica pointed back at him. "Don't close the door when your wife greets you. You just be jumping me in joy and sweeping me up in your arms, not jumping away." She finished with a huff and a pout.

"No! I mean what are you doing in my room! How are you in my room anyway? You don't have my key." He waved the key he was holding in his right hand for emphasis and which he just used to unlock the door.

"We don't have time for that." She dismissed his question and walked forward and grabbed his right arm. "We have something very important to discuss."

"Wait wait wait! What I asked is also important!" He protested feebly. But even though he said that, he still went with her whims and entered his room.

Though this time he was far more careful and kept a watchful gaze on the door, just in case Erica locks it again and gets him in trouble with his little sister. It was the correct decision since Erica clicked her tongue dramatically and dragged him to the bed.

Godou let out a sigh of relief, missing the smug look Erica sent his way. Poor guy is unaware that his sister has her club today and so won't be back for at least another two hours. And since Erica has made it so Shizuka will be very interested in talking to her Yuri-senpai and knowing just why she fell for her 'lecherous' brother, that time will extend even more since it is not exactly a topic that can be discussed before other members and requires a private setting.

Truly, this sly girl can manage a lot when she puts her mind to it. A dense anime protagonist like Godou is no match for her wiles and scheming.

Case in point, when they sat on his bed, Erice gripped his arm tightly and kept it between her breasts, turning him into putty in her hands.

"Uh Erica-"

"There is a very urgent matter which needs you attention." She talked over him and acted like he wasn't saying anything and everything was as it should be.

Which it is, if you consider them a married couple as Erica always insists on.

Erica gave Godou a thin folder. "Read this. We are meeting the Yokai Faction tomorrow evening, so you must memorize these details. Don't worry," she added when he looked at her with incomprehension, "I will handle the conversation. Mostly. But as the king, you have to speak as well and so you must know these basic information."

Godou kept looking at her, his mouth working but no words were coming out.

"What?" He finally settled on expressing his doubt.

What he received in response was a preening look which was asking to be praised for a job well done and a description about the job in question.

All it did was make Godou's head spin as his dreams of an ordinary life were flying away from him and he was powerless to do anything about that.