V2Ch1: A new Prologue

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Translator: Xre

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October.

The season when girls’ school uniforms shift from blouses to blazers.

The high school girl CEO, Suzuka Kocho, who's been constantly in the media spotlight lately, said this:

“Kazu-kun. Let's go to the pool.”

“In autumn?”

“Yes, in autumn.”

The silver-haired student council president smiled, her vivid red lips forming a graceful curve.

She had summoned me alone to the student council room, and I wondered what for—until she said that.

“There's no law or school rule that says you can't swim in autumn, is there? If it's warm, you might as well go swimming.”

“Today's high is 17 degrees Celsius. I wouldn't call that particularly warm.”

“Geez… Kazu-kun?”

This time, she puffed out her lips like a sulking child.

Her nails, painted the same striking red as her lips, poked me in the chest.

“What, does this mean… you don't want to see me in a swimsuit?”

I was at a loss for words.

What's the normal way to answer a question like this?

She was inviting me, so I should probably just accept it happily… but—

Voicing the honest desires of a high school boy somehow felt… rude.

“I don't think there's a single guy in this entire school who doesn't want to see you in a swimsuit, President.”

“I'm not asking about other guys. I'm asking you. Kazu Suzuki, Class 1-A.”

Damn. Did I just make her mad?

I'm completely hopeless when it comes to dealing with girls. My lack of experience shows. In elementary and middle school, I could count the number of times I spoke to girls on one hand.

“…I want to see it.”

I gave in and told the truth.

“President, you have an incredible figure. I'm sure you'd look amazing in a swimsuit. I want to go to the pool with you, spend the whole day swimming and playing… and watching you.”

“…Hmm. You pass.”

She looked away shyly.

The corners of her eyes were faintly red.

“It's settled then. When would be good?”

“I'm always free. I'll match your schedule, President.”

At school, she's the student council president. Outside, she's the CEO of a startup. Suzuka Kocho is likely one of the busiest high school girls in all of Japan.

“Is tomorrow too soon?”

“It's Saturday, right? No problem.”

“Then tomorrow at 11 a.m., in front of the entrance to the leisure pool. Don't be late.”

After firmly confirming the plan, she suddenly stretched on her toes.

The large, ample curves struggling beneath her blazer softly bumped into my chest.

Her face drew closer.

An unexpected zero-distance attack.

No—more like a mouth-to-mouth assault.

“…”

“…”

With a soft, wet sound, a trace of lipstick was left on my lips.

“President, this isn't appropriate… we're at school.”

She spoke with moist eyes.

“I can't afford to hold back. Not with this much competition.”

By “competition,” she meant the other girls who've taken an interest in me.

Amane Minato, the rookie voice actress. She's been rising rapidly in the industry and now appears in all kinds of anime. She's hardworking and endearing—the kind of girl who makes you want to root for her.

Ayaka Ayukawa, a classmate and dance club scholarship student. We work part-time at the same place, where she plays the role of an elegant, graceful maid. At school, she's a top-tier gyaru, and the gap between her personas is always surprising.

Isami Shirasagi, the star of the drama club. Everyone assumes she's a male student—but she's actually a very cute middle school girl. Though she's admired by other girls for her looks, around me she's nothing but clingy and affectionate.

Mashiro Watagi, the genius painter from the art club. A gentle, soft, nurturing upperclassman with a warm presence. She's the one who taught me the joy of painting.

Each of them is a beautiful girl with a unique personality. They're all far too cute—and apparently…

All four of them have feelings for me.

Haa.

I have no idea how things ended up like this, but… somehow, this is where I am.

President Suzuka sighed.

“Each of the four rivals is ridiculously attractive. I can't let my guard down.”

“Four? Isn't it three?”

Amane. Ayaka. Mashiro-senpai.

That's three.

President doesn't know that Isami Shirasagi is actually a girl, so there's no way she's counting her as a rival.

“No, four. Minato-san, Ayukawa-san, Watagi-san, and—Rua Takayashiki.”

“Oh. That one.”

A pig's name mixed in among humans made me let my guard down.

So she's counting that one too.

As expected of the president—treating livestock and people equally. A real champion of SDGs… or maybe that's not related.

“I've already cut ties with her.”

“I know that, but…”

The president still didn't look reassured.

Because she knows that that pig still clings to me.

“Rua Takayashiki is a massively popular idol. On top of that, she's the granddaughter of Taizo Takayashiki —one of the richest men in the world. She can get away with any outrageous demand. She's a ‘queen,' especially at this school.”

That part's true.

Rua, and the power of her grandfather Taizo Takayashiki, are overwhelming.

Even the sitting prime minister bows to them.

In this country, no one can oppose that old man and his pig of a granddaughter and get away with it.

“Rua will do whatever it takes to get you back. She'll use the full force of the Takayashiki family's power and violence. Even kill, if necessary. That's the level of obsession I sense—from one girl to another, I can feel it.”

“Yeah… you're probably right.”

The president's intuition is spot on.

That pig probably would kill a person or two if it meant getting me back.

In fact, Ayaka and Mashiro-senpai were nearly killed by her minions.

But still—

“I've already cut ties.”

I repeated firmly.

“No matter where she shows up, I'll ignore her completely. I don't care how obsessed she is or how dirty her tactics get. And if she ever lays a hand on any of you… I won't hold back. I'll confront her, crush her, and make her understand—because I just want to live a normal life.”

Ever since I was a kid, I'd been nothing more than Rua's slave.

I wasn't even allowed to live a normal life.

But a few months ago, something she said snapped me out of it:

[It sucks enough just being childhood friends with you, lol.]

Yeah… same here.

This is a story about a boy who, after severing ties with his childhood friend, meets a group of girls who are way too cute for his own good—

And begins striving to live life as a normal high school student.