Chapter 38: Your crime is making me angry

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Translator: Soafp

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That grim news froze the atmosphere around the round table.

“An e-explosion!! There’s been an explosion in the east club building! Major damage!!”

The first to raise her voice was President Suzuka.

“Are the students okay!? Are there any injuries!?”

“That building housed the athletic clubs’ rooms. They should all have been out practicing, but the details are still unclear…”

Suzuka stood up.

Kaido called out to stop her.

“Hold it, Kochou. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Where else? I’m heading to the scene. We have to assess the damage and ensure the students’ safety. Then we’ll call the police.”

“Don’t. This is most likely an attack from Kojin Academy.”

“Even if it is!!”

It was rare for the usually calm President Suzuka to raise her voice like this.

Kurata cut in, staring at his laptop.

“The principal seems to be starting some kind of broadcast over the school network. I’ll put it up on the screen.”

The large wall-mounted screen displayed an elderly man with piercing, eagle-like eyes.

The speech began.

“I am Taizou Takayashiki, principal of Teikai Academy. Just moments ago, the east club building was bombed — a declaration of war by Kojin Academy. They have brazenly launched a preemptive strike ahead of the upcoming tournament. We have confirmed that a considerable number of their assassins have already infiltrated our campus.”

Suzuka murmured, “This is madness.” I couldn’t agree more.

“Beloved students, overflowing with school spirit — rise and fight! Do not be cowed by this outrage. Defend our school from these vile invaders and show them the spirit of Teikai! I hereby promise generous rewards to those who distinguish themselves in this battle. Conversely, those who cowardly flee or seek outside help will face due consequences.”

The latter half was practically a threat.

The memory of the badge-ranking system was still fresh. After seeing the stark gap between “Gold” and “Silver,” the students would no doubt be swept up in this incitement, desperate not to fall to the “bottom.”

Reporting to the police had been effectively sealed off.

“Also, in case of injuries, a team of top-tier doctors is standing by at the west gate. Fight without hesitation. I pray for your success.”

The broadcast ended.

Starting a fire himself and then boasting about the fire extinguishers — truly disgusting. This kind of logic was typical of the “pig clan.”

The gun expert, Tanegashima, remarked:

“How thoughtful. Have they got the funeral arrangements ready too?”

“Don’t joke about that!!”

Even when scolded by Suzuka, Tanegashima merely smirked. He seemed genuinely pleased with the situation — no surprise. A guy who constantly carried guns around was probably itching for a chance to use them.

Kaido arrogantly declared:

“The Genius Council will now take up combat positions. Kenmochi, Oomori, Tanegashima— head to the site and neutralize the assassins individually.”

“I’ve been waiting for this!”

“Muscle! Muscle!”

“Now this is what I’m talking about.”

The three of them stood up.

“Kurata. You go too. Organize the regular students and take command.”

“Me, too? I’m scared. What if the bad guys come straight for little old weak me?”

He said, sounding frightened.

“Good point. Kenmochi, escort Kurata.”

“Fine, but don’t drag me down, yeah?”

“Ahh, thank goodness. Much appreciated,” Kurata said, bowing politely.

“Me too, I’ll go!”

The one flipping her lab coat dramatically and standing up was Rika Kirigamine, the “Genius of Invention.”

“This is the perfect chance to test my new inventions. I was so ready for this!”

She patted a large duralumin case. I wondered what kind of “invention” she was planning to use.

“I’m not going,” said Neko Kurumizawa, the “Genius of Acrobatics.” She seemed completely uninterested.

“Getting injured in some stupid brawl would be a disaster for any athlete.”

A perfectly reasonable opinion.

Kaido said:

“Fine. Kurata, stay here and defend the Round Table. It's possible the enemy might target us.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll hold the fort.”

She answered lightly, sprawling lazily back into her chair.

Kaido turned to the remaining members.

“The rest of you, follow my lead. We’ll split into groups and sweep the campus. If you find an enemy, don’t engage alone. Call for backup immediately. Understood?”

“””Understood!”””

Everyone responded in unison, their voices tense with anticipation.

Suzuka stepped forward.

“I'll go too. As Student Council President, it’s my duty to protect the students.”

Kaido narrowed his eyes.

“Very well. But don’t do anything reckless, Kochou.”

“I know that.”

There was no hesitation in her eyes. Suzuka was completely serious.

Thus, the “Genius Council” — the academy’s elite — took their first steps into a battle that would determine the fate of Teikai Academy.

Through the shattered windows, the cold wind of an impending war blew in.

“I'll stay too, to gather intel and oversee the overall command. Kochou, I’d prefer if you stayed as well—”

“No. I’m going to check on the injured.”

Honestly, I thought she should stay too, but it was clear she had made up her mind.

“Then I’ll go with you. I might not be the most reliable bodyguard, but it's better than nothing, right?”

“Yeah, better than nothing. At the very least, be a meat shield for the President,” Tanegashima sneered.

Kenmochi and Oomori laughed along with him.

“If Kazu-nii is going, then I'm coming too!”

Icchan started to stand up, but I patted her lightly on the head.

“Nope. You're staying.”

“Ehh~? But you’re leaving with the President!”

“What if the future star actress gets a scar on her face? Be a good girl and stay here.”

Reluctantly, Icchan sat back down.

Kaido looked around the round table.

“Alright, it’s settled. The ones heading to the scene are Kenmochi, Oomori, Tanegashima, Kirigamine, Kochou, and Suzuki. Staying behind are Kurumizawa, Shirasagi, and myself. If any new info comes up, contact each other by smartphone. — Now then, ‘Genius Commence!’“

The six of us boarded the elevator heading down to ground level.

Kaidou shouted one final encouragement.

“Listen up! Our school’s pride is on the line here. I will not tolerate a pathetic defeat that would disappoint our dear Rua-tan. Got it? Win, no matter what!”

The three combat specialists replied enthusiastically:

“Leave it to me! I'll make the princess smile with my sword!”

“Like hell you will! It'll be my muscles that bring a smile to Rua-chan's face!”

“You two sure are energetic. Guess I'll lend a hand too and see if I can get some praise from Princess Rua myself.”

Honestly, they could let Rua down for all I cared, but whatever.

There’s no cure for fanatics anyway.

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Inside the ascending elevator, I turned my thoughts inward.

Thinking about the girls I cared for — their safety.

Amane-chan would be fine. She said her schedule today was packed with recordings from morning till night. She shouldn't be on campus.

But—

There was one more.

The “girl” from the dance club who had promised to help make me look cool.

Today, she had no part-time job. She was probably at club activities, practicing hard to retake the scholarship exam.

Please be safe…

Just as we were about to reach the ground floor, Kurata, staring at his smartphone, muttered:

“Ah.”

He showed me the screen.

It looked like some underground social media platform used by Kojin Academy students. A post from ten minutes ago said, “Oraa oraa lol raid start lol.” Five minutes ago, another post appeared with a photo: “We already blew up the club rooms lol Miserable Teikai lol.” The image showed the club building's wall blown apart, a wreck.

And then—

One minute ago:

[Got me a trophy!]

[Totally my type, this gal beauty!]

[Hey all you pervs who wanna see this cutie in a compromising pose, smash that like button lol!]

Along with the vulgar comments was a picture.

A girl with chestnut-brown hair tied up in a ponytail, unconscious.

A blonde-haired guy was holding her from behind, making a peace sign at the camera.

“President.”

As the elevator doors opened, I said firmly:

“You're safest with me. Please, don't leave my side.”

“Eh? Eh?”

“Excuse me.”

Without waiting for her response, I scooped the President up into my arms.

“I'm going to run full speed. Hold on tight.”

“…O-Okay.”

Her face flushed bright red as she clung to my neck.

“Hey! Oi, you idiot!! Acting on your own—!!”

I heard Kenmochi yelling, but ignored him.

I sprinted off.

Like a gust of wind, racing ahead.

No holding back — I ran at full power, the true speed of someone no longer shackled by the “brainwashing” of the pigs.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!“

The normally composed President let out a scream that didn't suit her usual calm image.

“Don't talk! You'll bite your tongue.”

“B-But, it feels like… we’re flying!”

I had no choice.

I came to a sudden stop.

“Excuse me.”

“Huh? — Mmmph!”

A surprise attack — lips on lips.

A payback for that time in the underground archives.

I wasn’t about to let her complain.

“……………………”

The President, her face melted into a dazed expression, said nothing.

I adjusted my hold on her and took off running again.

Bursting out of the school building, I headed toward the dance club's practice hall — the main gymnasium.

A flood of students, fleeing in panic, rushed past us.

All of them wore looks of pure terror as they ran for their lives.

I ran against the flow of the crowd.

I never cared about the Imperial Battle.

It didn't matter to me at all.

If it meant making that old geezer and that pig happy, I would've gladly thrown the match on purpose.

But—

If they dared to lay a hand on my girl, that was a different story.

Kojin Academy—

You will be defeated.

This isn't a prediction. It's a foregone conclusion.

The reason for your defeat?

“You pissed me off.”

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