Arc 1 – Episode 2: “Why Am I Involved with the Academy’s Princess? – Part 1”

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A month had passed since high school started, and by now, groups within the class and everyone's reputations were pretty much set.

“Hey, Kuzuha-chan! Isn't this cat in the video adorable?”

“Yeah, I love cats too. I'd get one, but the apartment I'm living in doesn't allow pets.”

“Well, I have a cat. Want to come over sometime?”

“Really? I'll have to check my schedule, but sounds good.”

“Why don't you come to my place too?”

“And what's the reason for that?”

My image? A laid-back pretty boy surrounded by girls who seem a bit shallow. I know it sounds like bragging, but that's how people see me.

It's not like I chose this role, though. Ichigo asked me not to turn down any girls who approached me, so I gave polite, neutral responses, and here I am. Before I knew it, I'd become “that guy,” constantly flocked by girls.

The regulars around me are Itou, Suzuki, and Kobayashi.

Itou, like Ichigo and me, went to the same middle school. She's made it pretty clear that she followed me here.

Suzuki's unusual in that she refers to herself with “uchi” instead of “I.” Apparently, she picked it up from a manga.

Kobayashi doesn't stand out much, but sometimes she makes bold comments.

They're all pretty cute, so our little group is always together. Because of that, I've earned a reputation among the guys as a “player” or “ladies' man,” with a side of resentment mixed in.

Honestly, it kind of makes me sick, and I've even puked once or twice in the bathroom during lunch because of it.

Itou has green hair, Suzuki's is blonde, and Kobayashi has red hair. Because of their hair colors, people sometimes call them the “Traffic Light Trio.”

The teachers don't crack down on dyed hair because one of our classmates, Kakyoin Aria, naturally has blonde hair. If they banned dyed hair, it might end up affecting her too, so it's tolerated.

I hang out with these three girls like we're on dates or something, but we're just friends. I haven't kissed any of them, or anything like that.

I keep this group going since I lack the courage to change the status quo.

…

Ichigo is one of those quiet types who's either reading her textbook or a book at her desk, the kind of person who blends into the background.

Of course, that's partly by her own choice.

“Uh, Yorifuji-san?”

“…What?”

“Yorifuji-san? What are you reading?”

“…Disappear.”

“O-oh…yes… sorry…”

Occasionally, some of the more introverted guys in class approach her, hoping to find common ground. Each time, Ichigo shoots them down coldly.

So, she's ended up completely isolated.

Once, I even glared at one of those guys, who seemed interested in Ichigo, wondering what I might do to him. But no one needs to know that.

If there's one more noticeable person in our class, it's Kakyoin Aria, the most popular girl and the granddaughter of the school's chairman.

“Kakyoin-san, I couldn't finish my notes in the last class. Can I borrow yours?”

“Of course, here you go.”

“Thanks! Your notes are always so well-organized, and your handwriting's so neat.”

“I was taught from a young age, that's all.”

“Hey, Kakyoin-san, we're going to karaoke after school. Wanna join us?”

“Sorry, I have a lesson today. Maybe another time.”

“Oh, that's too bad.”

“Your parents had you do a lot of lessons, right?”

“They did, but now I only continue the ones I genuinely enjoy. So sometimes, I'm free to hang out. Please invite me again.”

Conversations flow to her endlessly, and she responds warmly to everyone. If there's a social hierarchy in our class, she's at the top.

As for me? Probably somewhere around second or third. I'm popular with the girls, but the guys' jealousy and some bad rumors don't help.

Sometimes I catch Kakyoin looking at Ichigo, though. Maybe because of that freshman representative speech incident? I just hope she doesn't see Ichigo as an enemy.

After school, while packing up, Kakyoin approached me.

“Kuzuha-san, do you have a moment?”

“Sure, what's up?”

It surprised me a bit; I never expected Kakyoin to initiate a conversation. Ignoring her would've been rude, so I listened.

“The student council is short on hands, so I'd like to ask the class representative, Kuzuha-san, for help.”

As for the student council, Kakyoin joined right after starting school, as a special case. Some students criticized it as favoritism, but the school board openly admitted it, so no one could do much about it.

And yes, I'm the class rep, a role I was nominated for by a bunch of excited girls.

Ichigo isn't involved with any of the school committees, by the way.

“Sorry, I had plans with friends today…”

“That's fine. We can hang out another time. You should help Kakyoin-san,” Itou chimed in, nudging me forward.

The girls went back to the group, and I noticed some of the other students whispering while glancing over.

“…Don't Kakyoin-san and Kuzuha-san look great together?”

“Yeah, they're picture-perfect.”

They might've been whispering, but I could hear them.

Best to pretend I didn't.

As I turned back to Kakyoin, I noticed Ichigo slipping out of the classroom, seemingly uninterested.

“Alright, looks like my schedule just opened up. I'll help.”

“Thank you. Follow me.”

I left the classroom with Kakyoin-san, and as we walked down the hallway, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was a LINE message from Ichigo.

“GO.”

…Got it.

If she says it's okay, then I'll do it. The favor, I mean.

Helping with student council errands was nothing special—just taking out the trash, organizing scattered supplies, checking inventory. Basic stuff anyone could do.

Later, I returned to my apartment. Ichigo and I live in neighboring rooms, but we usually hang out at hers.

We have dinner there, laze around, then go back to our rooms to bathe and sleep. Ichigo likes it this way, maybe because she doesn't want any traces of herself left if I ever bring another girl over. At least, that's what I think, but I've never had the nerve to ask.

We take turns cooking, though we're both pretty lazy about it. I usually throw together some instant food, and Ichigo orders delivery on her turn.

Tonight, it's Ichigo's turn, so we're having UberEats.

“Kyo-kun, how'd the help go?”

“It was alright. Just some basic stuff.”

Stuff like emptying the trash, organizing scattered supplies, and checking stock. The usual mundane chores.

“I see. Don't worry about me. Feel free to get closer to Kakyoin-san           .”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Oh, and let's keep up the act in front of her that we're not connected.”

“…Alright.”

She's up to something, no doubt. But I agreed to go along with it.

A few days later, I was having the usual casual chat with Itou-san and the others when she brought up a new topic.

“Hey, Kuzuha-kun, did something happen between you and Kakyoin-san?”

“Huh? Nothing, other than that favor.”

“Really? Lately, she's been asking around about you, Kuzuha-kun.”

“Yeah, she even asked me about your love life.”

“Me too.”

Suzuki-san and Kobayashi-san chimed in, supporting Itou-san's claim.

I wasn't lying, but it seemed Kakyoin-san was curious about me for some reason.

I had no idea what piqued her interest, but maybe Ichigo was pulling strings behind the scenes?

No, I can't blame everything on Ichigo.

“Well, I'm not sure, but if it's not causing any harm, maybe it's nothing to worry about?”

“What if Kakyoin-san actually likes you?”

“Come on, don't be ridiculous.”

I waved off Kobayashi's suggestion, dismissing the idea.

Apart from her requests for help, we have no other connection, and she's got plenty of classmates who always approach her.

If she's interested, it could only be for my looks, but why now?

I didn't want to overthink it, so I let it slide, figuring that ignoring it was the best approach.

But that afternoon…

“Kuzuha-san, could you help me again today?” Kakyoin approached me once more, and I felt a strange, hard-to-describe sense of unease creeping in.