Chapter 96: Prophecy Fulfilled

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Translator: Soafp

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Exhausted from the morning’s full-blown offensive, Sora lay slumped over Ginji's desk, practically melting. They had come to school early, so there was still a decent amount of time before class started—allowing Sora to stay with Ginji until the last possible moment.

“Too… many… people…”

Having been mobbed at the school gate and then hounded even in the classroom by concerned (mostly male) classmates, Sora had become completely worn out. Fortunately, the boys in the class backed off quickly when asked. Tanaka even teamed up with Saito from another class—someone Ginji didn't even know—to help clear out the hallway. Apparently, people had come just to get a glimpse of the now-famous duo: Shiki and Sora.

Somehow, Aika had managed to gloss over her blunder during the student council incident and was still seated as the school's idol. The difference now was that Sora was standing next to her.

“I was surprised too. Word got out that you were the one doing all the student council work and the behind-the-scenes tasks. You've totally become a celebrity. Also, for the record, that's my desk.”

“I think I can smell Ginji on it… Did you do something?”

“Well, I might've nudged things a little. But it spread on its own after that. With this much attention, no one's gonna be hiding your indoor shoes anymore.”

Ginji placed a hand on Sora's shoulder and gently woke her. His gaze was fixed on Aika, who was tossing her silver hair with a flourish, flanked by her usual group. Some were whispering while watching the two of them.

“Those girls never learn, huh.”

“Really? Hm… Something feels different…”

“It's ‘cause you're popular now. I can't afford to sweat the small stuff like jealousy anymore. As your boyfriend, I'll stand tall and proud.”

“You're allowed to be jealous, though. I'll just dote on you that much more.”

“Moderation, please. Still, I didn't expect things to blow up this much.”

Worried that Aika and her entourage might harass Sora out of spite for her student council success, Ginji had taken preemptive action—spreading the word about Sora's contributions to warn them off.

He'd even mobilized friends around the school to help protect the recovering Sora. But somehow, inexplicably, the results far exceeded expectations. The information had spread to other grades, too—this morning's incident with the sports clubs was one example. Even Ginji himself was left wondering how things had gotten so out of hand.

“Hm?”

Sora's expression began to tighten as she watched the crowd outside the window and felt the stares from the girls in class.

“What's wrong?”

“No, it's just… I feel like the eyes are on you, Ginji…”

[Is Momoi-kun here?]

Two girls poked their heads through the classroom door, visibly excited.

From the color of their ribbons, they were clearly first-years from another class.

“Huh? So they're here for me…? Wait a sec, Sora. I'll deal with this. Coming before homeroom even starts, huh? Got guts.”

“Eh—wait, no—don't tell me…!”

Sora sensed something. Ginji, bracing himself for harassment, squared his shoulders and stepped out to face the underclassmen girls.

Sora tried to stand, but it was already too late.

“Yo, what's up?”

With his signature scowl—perfect for intimidating troublemakers—Ginji glared at them. But the girls, fidgeting shyly, closed the distance with upturned eyes and spoke.

“Um… we like you!”

“Huh?”

“Ah—gah!”

Sora froze. She stood like a statue, her mind going completely blank.

“If you're just messing around, I'm not interested. But if you're serious, I've got a girlfriend I'm crazy about—so, sorry, can't. Also, is it really okay to confess in public like this? Is this a dare or something? If you're being bullied, I'll listen, okay?”

A cheer went up behind him. Several more girls stepped forward.

“Um, that kind of devotion is really attractive. The way you care for your girlfriend—so cool!”

“I'm rooting for you two!”

“I've always admired how you quietly help people and put effort into cleaning… even when Takagi-chan looked like a guy, you were protecting her… we're the same age, but… I really respect you.”

“The way you look at Takagi-chan is so gentle…”

“Uuuuuhhhhhhhh—!”

Rebooting from her frozen state, Sora rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Ginji's arm, pulling him close.

“I'm Ginji's girlfriend!”

“Kyaaaahhh!!”

Cheers erupted. Some even clapped. Then, the girls politely bowed and left.

“…What the heck was that?”

“Ginji… I'd like a detailed explanation of what you were doing during the three days I was out.”

A dark aura rose from Sora as she grabbed Ginji's shirt, tears brimming in her eyes.

“Nothing, really… like I said earlier, I just talked about all the hard work you've done. Helped out some sports clubs maybe? Other than that, everything was normal. Oh—some girls invited me to hang out, but I said no ‘cause I needed to take care of you… I swear nothing happened.”

Ginji had no idea, but back when Sora was crossdressing as a boy, he had taken the heat alone on more than one occasion—and some first-year girls who didn't fit into Aika's clique had taken notice of him.

Once it became known that Sora was a girl, and after she ranked first in the grade exams and started appearing in photos online, she became a hot topic—and naturally, attention shifted to Ginji, who was always by her side.

His usual scowl had made him unapproachable, but when he was with Sora, he showed a gentler side. That contrast struck a chord with a small but definite number of girls.

And when he continued to act in Sora's interest even during her absence, Ginji's underground popularity finally exploded into full bloom.

Ginji's popularity boom has arrived!!

…Though the man himself remained completely oblivious, as always.

On the other hand, Sora—ever perceptive—had fully grasped the situation Ginji was in, and was now in a cold sweat. Near panic, she shook him back and forth, eyes wet with desperation. The “prophecy” Suzu once mentioned—that a guy with a girlfriend suddenly becomes more attractive—had come true in a truly ridiculous way.

“Ginji, let's go home. I refuse to leave you in this den of beasts! I hate my own carelessness for being absent for three whole days!”

“Class hasn't even started yet! I'm sure that was all a misunderstanding… I'm not popular—wait, huh?”

A beefy, calloused hand dropped onto Ginji's shoulder. It belonged to none other than the hulking, muscle-bound Saito.

“Heyyy, Ginji-kun… Looks like you're pretty popular now, huh? This doesn't sit right with me…”

“We need to have a little chat. Don't worry, Takagi-chan, it's just some guy talk. Won't take long. One punch should settle it.”

“Hey, that girl earlier? She's our team's manager, right? I've never seen her make a face like that before!”

“Look, we know you're a good guy. And you and Takagi-chan are a great couple. But this is a different matter.”

Their faces were grim—like warriors marching into battle. Ginji's expression twisted in horror.

“C-come on, calm down. I've got Sora—I don't care if other girls like me. And it's not like I'm actually popular—”

“““NO EXCUSES!”””

In the end, Ginji barely escaped the wrath of his peers until just before first period. During breaks, he remained glued to Sora, while fielding cold, murderous glares from the boys all around him.